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Our News

Our expert in-house capability provides accurate, up-to-date and incisive research to deliver swift, precise outcomes. Targeted individuals are engaged with care and professionalism and the client opportunity presented in a clear and well-prepared format.

Q&A with Alison Sharman

Posted 14th September 2017byHowgate Sable

Alison Sharman is director of finance and support services at Howgate Sable.

1. What’s your background and how did you come to work at Howgate Sable?I read Maths at Oxford and then went on to train as a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor with Coopers & Lybrand as it was then, now part of PricewaterhouseCoopers. As a manager in the corporate tax department I worked with clients such as Manchester Airport and Woolworths, but after a decade in the profession and following the birth of my elder daughter, I decided to look for a part-time role. I came across Howgate Sable by chance – my husband happened to be given a complimentary newspaper on the one and only overseas business flight he has ever taken, and noticed the advert for the role at Howgate Sable. The rest, as they say, is history!

2. Why are you so passionate about your role?The modern finance director role is about so much more than just finance. The responsibilities are varied and constantly evolving, and this is even more true in an SME. We have a relatively small team at Howgate Sable, so my role spans across many functions, including personnel, IT support, risk management and contracts. I love the variety in my day and I’m constantly learning thanks to my wide-ranging responsibilities.

3. What’s been the most satisfying moment of your career so far?The most satisfying moments are when big projects come to fruition. The conversion from partnership to LLP springs to mind as one and, more recently, the move to our current premises, where I was doing everything from choosing paint and furniture to negotiating the lease. It’s very rewarding to see a project that you have spearheaded complete, no matter how big or small.

4. If you weren’t in executive search, what would you be doing?I love watching and playing tennis. I play for a club and have my name engraved on the honours board for winning the Ladies Singles. So, if I had the talent, which I don’t, my dream job would be to be a professional tennis player. The icing on the cake would be being famous enough to go on Strictly!

5. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge affecting the search market currently?The main short-term threat is Brexit, for two reasons – the uncertainty surrounding the whole process and the direct impact on certain markets. Uncertainty in general leads to low business confidence, which in turn leads to a slow-down in search activity. An example of direct impact is the deterioration of the pound, which we are already starting to see have an impact on some retail, consumer and leisure businesses.

6. How do you predict the search market will change over the next decade?As with most other industries, the pace of technological change is likely to have the biggest impact. I was at a seminar recently where the stark warning was to ‘ignore technological advances at your peril, because if you’re not embracing the opportunities, your competitors will be’.

Having said that, executive search is about partnering with clients and adding value to the search process, so there’s an advisory angle that, in the present climate at least, can’t be replicated by technology. Although LinkedIn was originally set up with the stated aim of rendering search obsolete, it’s also benefited the industry by enabling us to carry out our underlying processes more quickly and efficiently, thus freeing up time to concentrate on the added-value aspects of our service.

7. How has the search industry changed over the time you’ve been at Howgate Sable?
I joined Howgate Sable over 20 years ago, when the entire world was different, let alone search. IT was very much in its infancy and there was no internet, so our processes were very different. I remember having to ask for a computer that had a spreadsheet function, as all accounts were done by hand!

Search & Selection, as it was then, relied heavily on mind-bogglingly expensive advertisements in the national broadsheets. The response would come in by post. Two sacks of mail would arrive every morning and it would be all hands on deck to open and sort it, never mind assess and respond to it. All very labour intensive.

8. Which individual has inspired you most in your career and in what way?Not so much an individual, as her book – ‘Wild Swans’ by Jung Chang. The upheaval and adversity she, her family and her country faced during the political struggles in China during the 1960s and 1970s inspired me to reassess my own life and priorities and make that all-important career change when I had a young family.

9. What’s your claim to fame?I was at Oxford University with Ruth Lawrence, the child prodigy mathematician who, aged 13, was the youngest person to graduate from Oxford in modern times. Although we weren’t at the same college, I got to know her because we shared the same tutor. She borrowed my notes for lecture courses she wasn’t able to attend and her family invited me for a meal one evening to say thank you. The main thing that struck me at the time was how she lived, loved and breathed mathematics, even in her leisure time – she was an exceptional talent.

Barry and Clare are a dream team on a mission. They are connected, personable and full of integrity. Barry has managed to fulfil roles that others have failed to recruit and with A-class candidates.

Throw a hard mandate at them and see them deliver.

Jesper With-Fogstrup

” Mandy worked with me as a retained advisor on a board level assignment to recruit an HR Director and a Governance Director. I found the process deployed to be very efficient and Mandy demonstrated excellent knowledge of the sector and ultimately assisted me in securing talented appointments. Mandy’s approach is very thorough and professional, but importantly she also commits to making each element of the task run smoothly and supports the client at all times.”

Marc Bell, Ex CEO of Benenden Healthcare

The EMI Practice at Howgate Sable really took the time to understand our situation and find exceptional candidates who could fulfil challenging international leadership assignments for a truly global company with a history that spans well over 200 years.

It was a first class experience and positive outcome on many levels.

Barry McDonnell – Director of Manufacturing at De La Rue International

I have worked with the Howgate Sable team on several occasions whilst hiring mission-critical executives. Partnership is the byword for this organisation – they act as an extension of my team and work hard to support me not only in the technical solution, but in the sense of a deep understanding of my specific requirements. Delivery is the key measure of our talent partners and Howgate Sable have always achieved what was asked of them.

Jesper Berg – SVP HR, ABB

I was headhunted by Howgate Sable for the CEO appointment at Welspun UK (Christy) Limited, a new product sector for me and one I would not have naturally considered. It turned out to be the best career move I have ever made. Since taking the role I have worked closely with Barry and his team to build a high-performance team, and this has been achieved through his taking the time to understand our industry sector and our company culture intimately. I cannot recommend Howgate Sable highly enough for anyone wishing to make a career move or build a team.

Leigh Taylor – CEO, Welspun UK (Christy)

Having worked with Howgate Sable as a client and as a candidate I can confidently say their ability to deliver on complex searches is second to none. They not only have a detailed knowledge of the marketplace but also understand the importance of cultural fit.

Bridget Lea – O2

I was particularly impressed with Howgate Sable’s knowledge and network in the aviation sector, the quality of the candidates provided at shortlist and the availability of Nick and the team to provide us with advice and guidance on candidates when required. Nick was particularly effective in understanding our needs as a Company and being flexible in adapting requirements and plans.

Paul Hutchings – Thomas Cook Group Airlines

I have recently worked with Nick from Howgate Sable to recruit a new Head of Aircraft Operations for Thomson Airways. I was particularly impressed by the wide-reaching search undertaken and the quality of the candidates put forward. The skills match to the brief was excellent and I am delighted with the individual we selected.

Dawn Wilson – Thomson Airways

From their initial call to me the Aviation practice team at Howgate Sable demonstrated a significant difference. Straightforward and to the point, the extent of their network and deep insight into the industry was immediately evident. The added value I have received as a candidate is tangible. An almost instant rapport quickly developed into a focused business relationship which is open, honest, respectful and above all trustworthy.